Moving to a cloud-based system for ticketing has led to increases in patronage of 10% for its client operators, says specialist software supplier TransMach.
The supplier claims using its technology also makes compliance with Bus Open Data Services (BODS) much easier.
Many operators have struggled with the challenges around the regular submission of legally required BODS data since 2021.
“Our experience suggests that many smaller, regional operators, which tend to be family-owned businesses, are using older- generation ticketing machines,” says Minesh Vandra, Director of TransMach.
“This means that BODS data has to be processed manually, which is very labour-intensive and, in the longer term, not economically sustainable.”
TransMach works with operators to upgrade them to its cloud-based system, which is designed to make operators’ life easier with regards to contactless payment compatibility, BODS compliance, driver shift allocation, vehicle mileage and occupancy rates.
Among the operators to have benefited, according to TransMach, is Norfolk-based Coach Services, which has been a customer for more than three years, using its TM500 onboard ticketing machines.
Coach Services Financial Director Rob Crawford says: “Previously our data was compiled using an Excel spreadsheet provided by the BODS department at the Department for Transport (DfT), which was very difficult and time-consuming to complete.
“Doing it from TransMach’s cloud-based system linked to its ETMs has meant that the data is consistent from point of creation all the way through to what the driver sees and also what the passenger sees.
“Since working with TransMach, we have been able to iron out many of the issues that come from moving data between multiple platforms.”
Mr Crawford also says Coach Services now consistently supplies BODS files with a data score of 100%.
“If any advisories or discrepancies are found, they are easy to rectify before the data is pushed live,” he says.
“TransMach has enabled us, as an SME operator, to produce fully compliant TransXchange data to all our customers, plus DfT, our web hosting service, Passenger and local authorities’ real-time information systems.
“If it wasn’t for their support, we would be pricing up expensive external software and most probably not achieving 100% on our data score.
“The way the exports work from TransMach does give freedom to the operator, to be able to double-check the data so we can be sure it’s 100% accurate.”
Mr Vandra adds: “Many SME operators are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic, so TransMach has been focused on helping them to reduce their cost base, whilst enabling new customers to onboard with us in a seamless fashion, so there’s no worry about loss of data.
“Operators are increasingly aware of the importance of data and how they can use it to analyse trends and patterns and amend their networks to improve efficiency based on informed decisions.
“In addition, the phasing out of 3G means that older machines are at risk of losing BODS data, which in turn means lost revenue for operators.
“All of our equipment is 4G-enabled and we are already looking ahead to 5G compatibility.”
